A proposed tower next to B.C. Place has reached the development permit stage, which means public feedback time!
The development, which includes a five-storey "entertainment pavilion" along with the main 17-storey building, was rezoned last year; now the city wants the public to review the application and share some thoughts. Developer Westbank is working with Bjarke Ingels Group on the project; they previously partnered on the Vancouver House project.
The application says the development will include a variety of features. Aside from the entertainment pavilion (which looks a lot like a stack of cookies) there's a "secret garden" included in the rooftop design (along with a hedge perimeter), a "timber garden" in the public plaza outside the building and a "Robot Fan Array Garden."
The main tower would mostly be office space, with some retail in the bottom and underground parking.
"As one of the largest and only undeveloped areas in the downtown peninsula, we have an extremely rare opportunity here to not only significantly upgrade an aging steam plant, but also create an architectural landmark capable of housing large office floorplates that will draw creative economy tenants into Vancouver," write the proponents in the application.
Those larger office floorplates could offer 30,000 sq. ft. of usable space.
If approved, it will also mean an upgraded steam plant is needed for Creative Energy, the company that runs the plant which distributes steam for heat to downtown buildings. In the application it's noted a new, low carbon boiler plant will be built. It's expected to reduce carbon emissions by 38,000 tonnes per year.
"As part of the redevelopment, the existing infrastructure and plant equipment will be brought up to current codes and standards for higher resiliency and reliability for customers," states the application.
In the application, it's noted now is a good time to redevelop the site as with the replacement of the Georgia Viaduct looming. Right now the site is a plaza and the current power plant for the steam heating network. The building also used to house the Vancouver Sun's printing press.
The public has until May 28 to weigh in. The Development Permit Board will decide June 28.
